How routing works
Why a travel eSIM can show another country: the data exit country
Your phone uses a local network, but its data can reach the internet through another country. Here is what that changes and what it does not.
Every Telroo product page lists a Data routes via country (the data exit country) under Plan details. It is the country where the plan's mobile data reaches the internet, which is not always the country you are visiting. This page explains what that changes for you and what it does not.
Short answer
Your phone connects to a local network in your destination (the networks are listed on each product page), but your internet traffic may leave through another country. Websites that guess your location from your IP address can then show search results, language or content for that country. Maps and other apps that use your phone's own location are not affected.
Examples from our plans
Data exit countries listed on Telroo product pages on 16 October 2026:
| Plan | Local network(s) listed | Data exit country listed |
|---|---|---|
| Bali & Indonesia eSIM | Telkomsel, XL, Smartfren | SG (Singapore) |
| Japan eSIM | NTT docomo, Rakuten Mobile, KDDI/au | HK (Hong Kong) |
| USA eSIM | AT&T, Verizon | US |
| UK eSIM | O2, EE, 3 | FR/NL (France or the Netherlands) |
| New Zealand eSIM | One NZ | UK |
| Turkey eSIM | Vodafone | NL (the Netherlands) |
Different plans for the same destination can list different exit countries. For example, on 16 October 2026 the Japan Unlimited eSIM listed JP while the fixed-data Japan eSIM listed HK. The product page you buy from is the one to check.
What it can affect
- Search results and ads. Google says IP addresses are roughly based on geography, so any website can estimate your general area from yours. It also says a wrong location usually happens on mobile networks. You may see results, prices or a language for the exit country.
- Region-based content. Some streaming and shopping services choose what to show by the country they detect, so their catalogue or store may change while you travel.
- Sign-in checks. An app or bank that notices a sign-in from an unexpected country may ask you to confirm it is you. Keeping your Australian SIM on for SMS codes helps here: see keeping your Australian number while using a travel eSIM.
What it does not affect
- Which local network you use. Your phone still connects to the destination networks listed on the product page.
- Maps and navigation. Google lists several ways it works out location, including the device's own precise location. Apps that you allow to use location services, such as maps and ride-share apps, use that rather than your IP address.
- Calls and texts on your Australian number. Those stay on your Australian SIM and its carrier.
If a site shows the wrong country
- Allow your browser or the app to use precise location in your phone's settings. Google describes doing this for google.com and for its apps under Settings › Location › App permission on Android.
- Choose your country or region manually in the site or app if it offers that.
- For banking, use the bank's own app and keep your Australian line on for verification codes.
Data exit country questions
Does the data exit country mean the eSIM does not work in my destination?
No. The plan's coverage and local networks are listed separately on the product page. The data exit country only describes where traffic reaches the internet.
Can I choose a different exit country?
No. It is fixed by the plan. If it matters for your trip, compare the Plan details of each plan for your destination before you buy.
Is it the same as a VPN?
No. A VPN is an app or setting you choose. The data exit country is part of how the plan's mobile data is routed. If you use a VPN as well, websites see the VPN's location instead. The troubleshooting checklist suggests turning a VPN off for a moment if the eSIM will not connect.
Sources and last checked
Checked 16 October 2026: Google Search Help, how IP addresses work on Google and understand and manage your location when you search. Data exit countries and networks from the Plan details on the Telroo product pages linked above.